This is a sponsored post by Sage.
Starting your own business in Toronto brings with it a number of challenges that entrepreneurs need to overcome with innovative solutions. Luckily, technology has had a big hand in providing business solutions specifically designed for start-ups, so it’s become somewhat easier. The problem, though, is that there are so many products out there on the market that you may not know where to start.
Here’s a list of three business solutions for start-ups that will actually help you get your start-up off the ground and running.
1. Sage Business Cloud
Sage is a top seller of enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions, which (if you don’t know) are basically all-encompassing business solutions that can be used to manage a number of business operations. They have products for both small to large businesses, as well as anything in between. For small business, Sage Business Cloud is a great solution that will help you manage your accounting, finances, payroll, and invoices, as well as let you process payments.
While generally easy to implement, it’s best to seek out consultants who offer Sage solutions in Toronto who can ensure that your software is implemented into your business properly and to maximum efficiency. Too many businesses invest in ERP solutions without knowing how to properly utilize them, so don’t let this happen to you.
2. Square Point of Sale
Many businesses need a point of sale (POS) system to manage payments and for the use of payment terminals. Square is a free to use POS system that works for most small businesses. It comes with a built-in payment processor, a POS app that works on iOS and Android devices, a free magstripe (swipe) reader, and simple business management tools.
Note that add-ons do cost money. For instance, a Square register that takes all forms of payments and has two screens will cost $999, and there are processing as well as keyed-in payment fees. Despite this, it’s still considered the best currently on the market (especially because there are no start-up fees).
3. HostGator
Your start-up is going to need a website, and because of this you’ll need someone to host it. HostGator is considered the best overall hosting provider in Canada for being user-friendly, affordable, and rich in features. The most basic package, called the “Hatchling Plan,” starts at $2.75 a month and is great for start-ups that don’t have the budget to spend right away. With this plan you get a single domain, unmetered bandwidth (meaning that data doesn’t get capped and file sizes are unlimited), and a free SSL certificate (which provides you with domain security through encryption).
HostGator also provides a free website builder with 4,500 templates to choose from, has an intuitive control panel, and provides 24/7 technical support. With a 45-day money-back guarantee, you really can’t go wrong when choosing them for your website hosting needs.
Covering the Basics
These three business solutions for start-ups cover the basics of what you need to get your small business going. As your company grows, your needs will change, so down the road you may need to look at investing in new technology or upgrading your existing software.
You might be interested in reading “Tech Savvy Toronto Companies to Watch Out For“.
